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Recently, there has been an increase in fraudulent activities on social media and trading platforms related to the sale of pedigree cats and dogs. Fraudsters pose as sellers, posting attractive ads with photos of cute animals at discounted prices. They often offer flexible payment terms and delivery options. However, behind this apparent benefit lies deception: once the buyer transfers an advance payment, the fraudsters disappear.
It was recently reported that law enforcement officers caught one such fraudster who was offering pedigree kittens at a discounted price. The Cybersecurity Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that a resident of the Bukhara region, who wanted to purchase a pedigree kitten, contacted the “seller” through a Telegram group where pets were being discussed.
The “seller,” as it later turned out, was a fraudster from the Navoi region. She took advantage of the victim’s trust, convincing her to transfer an advance payment of 500,000 soums to her bank account. After receiving the money, the fraudster deleted the conversation, blocked the buyer, and stopped answering calls.
Such cases have become more frequent. Fraudsters use popular sales platforms such as Olx, Telegram, Facebook, and other social networks to swindle money from those looking for pedigree pets. Unfortunately, these schemes often go unpunished, leaving victims not only without their money but also without the long-awaited pet.
How to avoid online pet purchase scams?
- Be cautious of prices that are too low. If the price for an animal is significantly lower than the market rate, this is a red flag. Fraudsters often use low prices to lure potential victims.
- Do not transfer advance payments without full confidence. Never transfer money until you are sure the seller is legitimate. Ask for a video call with the animal and request additional photos with proof of authenticity, such as the pet pictured with today’s newspaper.
- Personal meetings and inspection. The safest way to buy a pet is to meet the seller in person, inspect the animal, and ensure it is healthy. A personal meeting will help you avoid fraud and confirm that the animal actually exists.
In the case of the Bukhara resident’s fraud, a criminal case was initiated under Article 168 of the Criminal Code (Fraud). However, it is much easier to prevent such situations than to deal with the consequences later. If you become a victim of such fraud, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement — the sooner you do this, the higher the chance of finding the perpetrator.
Remember, anyone can fall victim to fraud, especially with the growing popularity of online shopping. Stay alert, verify sellers, and if something seems suspicious, it’s better to walk away from the deal than to lose money.
If you have encountered a similar situation, immediately contact the hotline numbers 102 or 1102.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
